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Get ready to embrace the cozy vibes of fall with this simple small batch Apple Butter recipe. Made in a slow cooker, this luscious spread is not just delicious but also incredibly easy to whip up. Perfect for elevating your morning toast or for gifting, this apple butter is about to become your go-to for all things comforting and sweet.
Explore more single serving and small batch apple recipes, including our moist Apple Cake, flavorful Dutch Apple Pie, crisp Apple Crisp, and golden Apple Fritters.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Butter Recipe
- Effortless: Seriously, just dump the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it work its magic.
- Rich Flavor: With cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, each spoonful is like a fall hug.
- Versatile: Beyond toast, use it as a filling, a topping, or even in baking.
- Small Batch: Perfect for those who want to savor it without the commitment of a huge jar.
What Is Apple Butter?
Apple butter isn’t actually butter; it’s a highly concentrated form of applesauce, simmered long and slow with spices until it turns rich and buttery in texture. Perfect on toast, mixed into recipes, or straight off the spoon!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this apple butter recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apples: Any type of apple will do, so feel free to mix and match varieties or use what you already have. The recipe needs approximately 1.5 pounds of apples, which could be 4 small apples, 3 medium ones, or 2 large ones. Precision isn’t crucial here. Got extra apples? Use them in a small batch of Morning Glory Muffins or Fried Apples.
- Lemon Juice: This adds a pop of tangy flavor, enhancing the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Sugar & Brown Sugar: These sweeteners can be adjusted to your preference. If you like your apple butter a bit sweeter or less sweet, go ahead and modify the sugar levels. If you don’t have brown sugar, consider using our brown sugar recipe to make a small batch.
- Vanilla, Nutmeg & Allspice: These spices give your apple butter that rich, autumnal flavor we all crave. Feel free to tweak the amounts to suit your taste buds. This combination of ingredients can also be found in our Gingerbread Granola, and our Apple Granola recipes.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Looking to switch things up a bit? You can easily modify this basic apple butter recipe to create new and exciting flavors. Here are three variations to get your creative juices flowing:
- Spiced Apple-Pear Butter: Replace half of the apples with an equal amount of pears and add a dash of cardamom to bring in a unique and aromatic flavor profile.
- Apple Butter with Maple and Bourbon: Skip the brown sugar and use maple syrup instead for a rustic, autumnal sweetness. Add a splash of bourbon near the end of cooking for a grown-up twist.
- Tropical Apple Butter: Incorporate some shredded coconut and a small amount of pineapple juice to the mix. It’s a sunny spin on the traditional apple butter recipe.
How To Make Apple Butter
For specific measurements and the complete recipe, please refer to the recipe box below.
Step 1: Ready Your Apples
Peel, core, and chop the apples before adding them to a 1.5-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients and Cook
Combine the apples with all the other ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Place the lid on and cook on a low setting for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom.
Step 3: The Final Cookdown
After cooking, remove the lid and stir. Continue to cook on low for an additional hour without the lid. This allows the mixture to thicken as it cooks down.
Step 4: Time to Purée
Use an immersion blender to purée the apples until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can also use a regular blender to achieve the same texture.
Pro Tip: Exercise caution if you’re using a traditional stand blender with hot ingredients. The trapped heat can cause pressure to build up, potentially causing the lid to pop off. To avoid this, remove the center piece of the blender lid and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Start blending on the lowest setting and gradually ramp up the speed as needed.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Allow the apple butter to cool down before transferring it to a clean glass container for storage in the refrigerator.
This small batch apple butter recipe will yield about 3/4 of a cup (96 grams, 3.38 oz.)
Expert Tips
- Blend Different Apple Types: Mixing tart and sweet apples can create a more complex flavor profile. Experiment to find your ideal combination.
- Customize Sugar Levels: Don’t hesitate to tweak the sugar content according to your personal preference. Less for tart, more for sweet—it’s your call!
- Let Flavors Marinate: Give it some time. The apple butter often improves in flavor after a day in the fridge as the spices and sugars meld together.
Serving Suggestions
Versatility is the name of the game here. Perfect on toast, excellent as a ham steak glaze, or mixed into oatmeal.
- Morning Toast: Spread it generously on a warm slice of bread.
- Yogurt Topping: Elevate your breakfast game.
- Cake Filling: Imagine this between layers of a white cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for a smoother texture.
Apple butter will last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. In the freezer, it will last about 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Choosing the right apples can enhance your apple butter experience. Softer apple varieties are generally preferred as they break down quicker during cooking. Options like Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold are great choices. However, Gala apples are also an excellent alternative, especially if that’s what you usually stock in your kitchen.
While apple butter and applesauce share similarities in ingredients and cooking methods, the key difference lies in the cooking duration. Apple butter is cooked for an extended period, leading to a deep, golden brown hue. This longer cooking time allows the sugars to caramelize, resulting in a more concentrated and richer apple flavor.
RELATED: How To Cook Small Meals In A Large Slow Cooker
More Small Batch Apple Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of apple-based treats, you won’t want to miss out on these other delightful small batch apple recipes. Perfect for satisfying those cozy cravings without overwhelming your kitchen.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
Since this is a small batch recipe, I recommend using a 1.5-quart slow cooker. For best results, use a slow cooker of similar size.
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Small Batch Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds apples peeled, cored and sliced
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the apples in the small slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir very well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, stirring every couple of hours.
- Uncover, stir apples, and continue cooking uncovered for an additional hour on LOW. This will allow the apple butter to cook down and thicken.
- Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, use a regular blender with the center piece of the lid removed.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar and refrigerate when cool.
Notes
- Blend Different Apple Types: Mixing tart and sweet apples can create a more complex flavor profile. Experiment to find your ideal combination.
- Customize Sugar Levels: Don’t hesitate to tweak the sugar content according to your personal preference. Less for tart, more for sweet—it’s your call!
- Let Flavors Marinate: Give it some time. The apple butter often improves in flavor after a day in the fridge as the spices and sugars meld together.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Made this recipe yesterday and it’s delicious. Spread it on a waffle for breakfast and enjoyed every bite! Thank you for this great recipe.
Hi Joanie,
I made the apple butter over the weekend and it was so delicious! I had no idea it was this easy to make and it’s so much better than store bought. I’ll definitely be making this again. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rose. Thank you.
Just finished making the apple butter. The kitchen smells delicious and the apple butter is wonderful!
Thank you for a great recipe!
MJ 🍎
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you!
I made your quich for my lunch. It was delicious and turned out so light and fluffy! Thx!
how long will this last
Apple butter will last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. In the freezer, it will last about 6 months.
This is delicious! I used one large-ish pink lady and four little granny smith apples (before peeling and coring, it all came to about 1.7 pounds), and doubled the cinnamon (I almost always double cinnamon in recipes). I have a feeling this will become a fall favorite!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for your feedback.
Apples – is that 1 1/2 lbs of apples before or after peeling and coring? Thank you.
The apple butter sounds delicious. Can I make it on the stove
Yes, you can make apple butter on the stove too. Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized pot and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the apples are soft and are beginning to fall apart. This usually takes me around an hour. Once the apples are soft, you can puree them.
do you have any idea of approximately how much this makes.
Hi Marda,
This small batch apple butter recipe will yield about 3/4 of a cup (96 grams, 3.38 oz.)
Ì love your recipe for a single serving PANCAKE.